The Andrology Laboratory at the Heart of England Foundation Trust (HEFT) is a UKAS Accredited Service (ISO15189:2012), currently operating from a single site located on the 2nd Floor of the Fothergill Block at Good Hope Hospital.

The laboratory's priority is to provide a comprehensive semen analysis service for Consultants, Urologists and General Practitioners from the Birmingham and Solihull area. This includes semen analysis for fertility investigations (Diagnostic Semen Analysis) and post-operative analysis of semen following a vasectomy operation (Post Vasectomy Semen Analysis). Retrograde analysis will not be undertaken in Andrology (at the moment), but referrals for this investigation will be actioned by the laboratory staff who will forward the details to Midland Fertility where these tests will be undertaken (CPA Accredited Laboratory)..

The laboratory operates on a clinic based service and will have 2300 available appointments per annum to cover the annual workload of routine diagnostic semen analysis and post-vasectomy samples. At present the ratio of diagnostic semen analysis to post vasectomy patients is undetermined but this will be monitored and feedback given in future versions of this handbook. Routinely patients will be given an appointment to attend the Andrology Department for on-site sample production in a designated private clinic room, however in exceptional circumstances samples may be produced off site if then able to be delivered to the laboratory within an appropriate time interval.

The HEFT Andrology Laboratory has fully trained scientists who are highly proficient in performing quality diagnostic semen analysis in line with World Health Organisation (2010), The Association of Biomedical Andrologist (ABA) guidelines and the 2016 Laboratory Guidelines for post vasectomy semen analysis. The laboratory regularly performs internal quality control, participates in the UK National External Quality Assurance scheme for Andrology (UKNEQAS) and liaises with other accredited laboratories for comparison of tests not covered within the UKNEQAS scope..

The laboratory referrals can be made via:

Paper copy referral forms sent to Lyndon Place via post/e-mail.

Electronic Referral Service (ERS)

A copy of the referral form can be obtained contacting the laboratory directly on 0121 424 9717 or by GP’s accessing the word version at: http://www.heartofengland.nhs.uk/gps/

Operates Monday to Friday 08:00am to 16:00pm

Undertakes diagnostic semen analysis and post vasectomy analysis.

Appointment based with on-site room for sample production for both diagnostic semen analysis and post vasectomy semen analysis.

Off-site production can be arranged through telephoning the laboratory on 0121 424 9717 or by e-mailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (if you e-mail you are accepting that the connection is not secure and potentially not confidential – laboratory staff will minimise data transmission but cannot guarantee security).

Turnaround Time: 7-10 days (electronic reporting may be more rapid). Paper copies currently sent. This is due to validation of reports by a second scientist.

Target set at 95%

Anti-sperm antibodies (ASAB) not tested at this laboratory. Agglutination is described if noted.

Please see user handbook for additional information including contact details.

Protection of Personal Information – Laboratory Medicine comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

The Trust Laboratories at Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital were awarded UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accreditation to the internationally recognised ISO 15189 standard in May 2015. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the test database http://www.heftpathology.com/frontpage/test-database.html.Tests not appearing on this scope are either under consideration or in the process of accreditation and so currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.